Abstract

The Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is one of the Jaipur's major landmarks, although it is actually little more than a facade. Built in 1799, this five-storey building which looks out over the main street of the buzzing old city is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink, delicately honeycombed sandstone windows, of which there are 953. It was originally built to enable the women of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. The palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and is a part of the city palace complex.

Reflections in the pond of the marble encased tomb within the Jama Masjid's courtyard which is the Tomb of Salim Chisti - the sufi saint who lived as a recluse in the small town Sikri near Agra.

Fatehpur Sikri (Hindi: फतेहपुर सीकरी, Urdu: فتحپور سیکری) is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in North India. The historical city was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. Though it took 15 years to build, it was abandoned after only 14 years of use because of shortage of water supply which was unable to sustain the growing population. The palace and mosque in Fatehpur Sikri are a tourist attraction and it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which is about 40 km from the Taj Mahal, Agra. Uttar Pradesh state (UP), North India.

Fatehpur Sikri (Hindi: फतेहपुर सीकरी, Urdu: فتحپور سیکری) is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in North India. The historical city was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. Though it took 15 years to build, it was abandoned after only 14 years of use because of shortage of water supply which was unable to sustain the growing population. The palace and mosque in Fatehpur Sikri are a tourist attraction and it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which is about 40 km from the Taj Mahal, Agra. Uttar Pradesh state (UP), North India.

Interesting doors with metal handles. Fatehpur Sikri (Hindi: फतेहपुर सीकरी, Urdu: فتحپور سیکری) is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in North India. The historical city was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. Though it took 15 years to build, it was abandoned after only 14 years of use because of shortage of water supply which was unable to sustain the growing population. The palace and mosque in Fatehpur Sikri are a tourist attraction and it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which is about 40 km from the Taj Mahal, Agra. Uttar Pradesh state (UP), North India.

Horse shoes on the huge wooden door entrance to Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri (Hindi: फतेहपुर सीकरी, Urdu: فتحپور سیکری) is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in North India. The historical city was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. Though it took 15 years to build, it was abandoned after only 14 years of use because of shortage of water supply which was unable to sustain the growing population. The palace and mosque in Fatehpur Sikri are a tourist attraction and it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which is about 40 km from the Taj Mahal, Agra. Uttar Pradesh state (UP), North India.

Close up shots of the iguana at Bali Zoo.
Bali Zoo, Singapadu (near Ubud), Bali. Situated in the cultural heart of Bali, the zoo is only 15 minutes drive from Ubud, and 45 minutes from the tourist areas of Kuta.

Detailed "jaali" work done on stone near the tomb of sufi saint Salim Chisti.
Fatehpur Sikri (Hindi: फतेहपुर सीकरी, Urdu: فتحپور سیکری) is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in North India. The historical city was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. Though it took 15 years to build, it was abandoned after only 14 years of use because of shortage of water supply which was unable to sustain the growing population. The palace and mosque in Fatehpur Sikri are a tourist attraction and it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which is about 40 km from the Taj Mahal, Agra. Uttar Pradesh state (UP), North India.

Konark Sun Temple in Orissa belongs to the Kalinga school of Indian temples and was constructed by King Narasimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in the 13th Century. This world heritage site temple takes the form of a colossal chariot of Surya (Sun) drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquitely decorated wheels. Surya has been a popular deity in India since the Vedic perios. Thousands of sculptured images depict deities, celestial and human musicians, dancers, lovers, and myriad scenes of courtly life, ranging from hunts and military battles to the pleasures of courtly relaxation. The temple is famous for its erotic stone sculptures, which can be found primarily on the second level of the porch structure.

Reflections of Taj Mahal.
The garden uses raised pathways that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds. A raised marble water tank at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and gateway with a reflecting pool on a north-south axis, reflects the image of the mausoleum. The raised marble water tank is called al Hawd al-Kawthar, in reference to the "Tank of Abundance" promised to Muhammad. Due to its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome or amrud (guava dome). The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is the most spectacular feature.

Reflections of Taj Mahal.
The garden uses raised pathways that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds. A raised marble water tank at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and gateway with a reflecting pool on a north-south axis, reflects the image of the mausoleum. The raised marble water tank is called al Hawd al-Kawthar, in reference to the "Tank of Abundance" promised to Muhammad. Due to its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome or amrud (guava dome). The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is the most spectacular feature.